Alabama: Did You Know?

In April 2004, Alabama's Department of Public Health issued rules requiring that its clinics offer emergency contraception (EC) to patients. One of the most promising avenues for reducing unintended pregnancy and abortion, EC can greatly reduce a woman's chance of becoming pregnant when taken within a few days of unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. EC prevents pregnancy, and has no effect if one has already begun.

Opponents of choice immediately decried the decision. Nearly a dozen health department nurses quit their jobs in response – even though health department officials made accommodations for employees who asked to be reassigned due to personal objections to EC. Meanwhile, anti-choice public officials pressured the state department of health to reverse its decision.

In an effort to stop EC distribution at the clinics, Congressman Robert Aderholt requested that U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson clarify federal requirements. Thompson responded by stating that even though Title X family planning clinics are required to offer a broad range of contraceptive options, they are not obligated to offer EC.

Even with Secretary Thompson's statement, opponents of choice failed in their attempts to reverse the state's EC policy. Dr. Thomas Miller, family planning director for the state health department, vowed to uphold the policy, stating: "It's excellent public health policy. . . . It's a good thing to do for the low-income women of this state." As he stated earlier: "It's not appropriate for me or any other group to dictate public health policy, based on personal beliefs."